Men’s Health

Healthy men are sexy because when you’re healthy you look and feel better. You’re ready to spend quality time with the people you love, doing the things you love to do, without a health problem slowing you down or cramping your style. So how does a guy – even one who’s got his share of mileage – take care of himself? Well, everyone needs a tune up now and then. Having regular check-ups with your primary care doctor is the best way to make sure everything’s in good working order and stays that way. Here are four things to keep on top of:

One of the top causes of death for men is heart disease. Many conditions can lead to heart disease, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), having too much sugar in the blood (diabetes), or being overweight. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States, responsible for about 1 in every 4 male deaths. About 8% of African American men have heart disease and it’s especially predominant in men of South Asian ethnicity. But many heart problems can be treated effectively if caught early on. Stay on top of your heart health by getting a regular check-up.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among men, and occurs even more often among African-American men and Afro-Caribbean men. About 1 out of 39 men will die of prostate cancer and 1 out of 7 will be diagnosed with the disease during his lifetime. Nevertheless, it can be treated successfully if the condition is caught early enough. In fact, more than 2.9 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today. Talk to your doctor about risk factors, screening, and the best ways to monitor prostate health.

Drinking too much alcohol can cause physical and emotional damage to you, your family, or friends. If you feel that you have a problem with drinking, talk to your doctor about getting help. Many offer various therapies, including medications with a track record of being effective like Naltrexone to help you if you’re struggling with alcohol.

Smoking kills about 12,000 New Yorkers every year. Smoking can cause problems like trouble with breathing, persistent coughing, emphysema, and lung cancer. If you are a smoker and want to quit, talk to your doctor about getting help. They can provide Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), such as nicotine gum or patch, or other resources to help you quit smoking whenever you are ready.

Regular visits to see your primary care doctor may not mean you’ll wind up looking like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Antonio Banderas, Brad Pitt, or Dev Patel but it does mean you’ll be healthier. And, while trends may come and go, healthy men are sexy at any age – even if they aren’t on the cover of People magazine.

Live Your Healthiest Life

NYC Health + Hospitals appreciates the value men make to the community. Our mission is to offer health care to New York City men regardless of race, immigration status, health insurance, or the language. Our commitment is to empower men to live their healthiest life by giving them access to quality, affordable, and culturally-responsive health care services when and where they need it. We offer medical services such as:

Don’t avoid the doctor: Get regular check-ups. A doctor will advise you on how to take care of your health.

Eat healthy: Eat vegetables, fruits, whole grain, high fiber, and lean protein. Cut back on foods high in fat, cholesterol, sugar, and salt, like fast food or fried food. Drink water and cut back on sugary drinks like soda.

Watch your weight: Lose extra weight by exercising and being active.

Get active and stay active: Go for a walk during lunch, jog, or play a sport like basketball.

Cut back on alcohol: Limit how much alcohol you drink. Too much alcohol can lead to health problems.

Do not smoke: If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit.

Manage stress: Too much stress can affect your health. Find ways to deal with and reduce stress in your life.